Terrain engaging appliance for trekking pole

ABSTRACT

An improved Terrain Engaging Appliance for a trekking pole which will supplement a standard pole tip and provide additional terrain engagement and traction. A freely function will reduce inadvertent telescoping trekking pole collapse, and shed mud and shed mud and snow readily.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to poles and staffs used by persons whilewalking, hiking, climbing, snowshoeing and skiing. These devices,commonly known as hiking staffs, ski poles and trekking poles, assistthe user by providing stability, balance and added propulsion throughthe use of the arms. The propulsion is utilized to advance the user onfoot, skis or snowshoes, up a gradient or to manage or arrest the motionof the user while descending a gradient. Trekking poles are also used inurban areas by walkers in a practice known as Nordic Walking or NordicTrekking. The term “Trekking Pole” is intended to include all, but isnot limited to, the above descriptive names in the field of thisinvention.

2. Prior Art

The typical trekking pole comprises a shaft, a handle for gripping, anda tip, often made of carbide or other hard material to contact andengage the terrain. The shaft may be made in multiple sections with thesections collapsing into one another for storage and transportation.This telescoping feature also enables the poles to be adjusted in lengthto suit the individual user height and to better accommodate climbingand descending uses. Flotation discs, commonly called snow or screebaskets, may be attached to the pole near the tip to prevent excessivepenetration of the tip and shaft into softer terrain such as sand,gravel, mud and snow. Some poles are also constructed with the handle orone of the shaft sections to have a limited amount of axial motionagainst a spring, thereby creating a shock absorption function.

Trekking poles transfer energy from the arms to the terrain via a singlepoint of contact. In loose and sloped terrain, and on ice or hard packedsnow, the engagement tip of the pole becomes less secure than it wouldotherwise be on hard or flat terrain, often resulting in the pole tipdisengaging from, and “skating” over, the terrain. When this occurs, theuser's body is thrown off-balance. At best, this results in an awkwardinterruption of forward motion. At worst, this event can cause injuryand an unanticipated fall by the user. An improved pole tip would becomplimented by serially placed teeth which would engage the terrain ata pre-determined relative angle of the pole to the terrain and provideadditional traction.

Most trekking poles utilize a twist-to-lock mechanism with an internalexpanding plug in order to secure the telescoping function of the pole.Unintended twisting forces are often exerted on the poles during normaluse which result in the inadvertent loosening of the locking mechanismand collapsing of the pole. This situation is more common when the polesare used with snow or scree baskets due to the fact that they affordmore radial friction and since they are designed to lock tightly on thepole, they transfer twisting forces to the locking mechanism. Animproved snow or scree basket would rotate freely about the pole,reducing potentially unlocking twisting forces to the locking mechansim.Trekking poles are often used in natural areas having significantvegetation. As these areas are traversed, the vegetation often impartstwisting forces to the poles as the poles are passed through thevegetation. This situation occurs more frequently while using snow orscree baskets. An improved snow or scree basket would rotate freelyabout the pole, reducing potentially unlocking twisting forces to thelocking mechanism. When snow and scree baskets are used in muddy andsnowy terrain, there is a tendency for the mud and snow to adhere to thebottom of the basket. This results in the pole's weight beingsignificantly increased and reduces the tip engagement potential bycreating a barrier. An improved, freely rotating basket would morereadily shed mud and snow due to its rotating, and thereforeself-cleaning, motion.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, one object and advantage of the present invention is toprovide an improved trekking pole tip which will afford the user bettertraction and more secure engagement in the subject terrain.Additionally, the invention will reduce the annoyance and danger of thetelescoping function loosening and causing the pole to inadvertentlycollapse. The invention will more readily shed mud and snow than commonsnow and scree baskets, due to its freely rotating action. Additionalobjects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of thedrawings and ensuing descriptions thereof.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the invention, an improved terrain engaging appliancefor a trekking pole which will supplement a standard pole tip andprovide improved terrain engagement and traction. A freely rotatingfunction will reduce inadvertent pole collapse, and shed mud and snowreadily.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of a terrainengaging appliance for trekking pole.

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side plan view of a preferred embodiment of the inventionattached to a prior-art trekking pole.

FIG. 5 is a side plan view of a preferred embodiment of the inventionattached to a typical prior-art trekking pole being used in increasedangle terrain.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 Blade-   2 Hub-   3 Locking Screw-   4 Retaining Clip-   5 Hub bearing surface-   6 Internal threads-   7 Trekking pole tip-   8 Terrain surface

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

The invention is shown comprised of a formed blade 1 and a hub 2 coupledon the hub bearing surface 5 and retained by the retaining clip 4,allowing the blade to freely rotate on the hub. 4. A plurality oflocking screws 3 engage and secure the invention to a prior art trekkingpole tip 7. Internal threads 6 in the hub may also be utilized forattachment to certain prior art poles. The formed teeth of the blade areconstructed of sufficiently hard and strong, yet lightweight material toprovide long life while engaging various types of terrain. The formedteeth of the blade are shaped with such a geometry that will providemaximum terrain engagement with the angular changes occurring as thetrekking pole is used.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that according to the invention, I haveprovided a useful device which provides increased safety and performanceto the user of a trekking pole. While the above description containsmany specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on thescope of the invention, but as exemplifications of the presentlypreferred embodiment. Many other ramifications and variations arepossible within the teachings of the invention. Thus the scope of theinvention should be determined by the appended claims and their legalequivalents, and not by the examples given.

1. In a trekking pole of the type to be used by a person engaging in theactivity of walking, hiking, climbing and snowshoeing, the trekking polecomprising a tip, shaft and grip, for the purpose of providingstability, propulsion and descent control, the improvement comprising: agenerally coaxial toothed blade shaped to provide additional terrainengagement; and a rotatably coupled hub for attachment to said trekkingpole shaft or tip.
 2. The improvement as in claim 1 wherein said hub hasa plurality of securing screws positioned radially at right angles tosaid trekking pole shaft axis.
 3. The improvement as in claim 1 whereinsaid hub has internal threads on said trekking pole axis for the purposeof attachment of said hub to said trekking pole shaft.
 4. Theimprovement as in claim 1 wherein said hub and said trekking shaft areintegrated.
 5. The improvement as in claim 1 wherein said blade freelyrotates on said hub.
 6. The improvement as in claim 1 wherein said bladeis formed to provide terrain engagement when a pre-selected angle ofsaid trekking pole relative terrain is attained.
 7. The improvement asin claim 1 wherein said blade is made from steel alloy.
 8. Theimprovement as in claim 1 wherein said blade is rigidly fixed to saidtrekking pole shaft.